Madame Jean Tronchin 1758

Jean-Étienne Liotard created this pastel portrait of Madame Jean Tronchin in 1758. In this era of enlightenment, portraits moved beyond symbols of status to capture the individuality and interiority of the sitter. Madame Tronchin, swathed in lace, has a distinct gaze which is not submissive, but rather, inquisitive. While women of this era were often portrayed as passive objects of beauty, here we see an older woman, unconcerned with the beauty standards of the time. Her image is not overtly sexualized. Instead, Liotard seems interested in capturing her character. Tronchin's subtle smile hints at an inner life shaped by the intellectual and social currents of her time. Liotard’s choice of pastel, a medium often associated with intimacy and immediacy, further enhances this sense of personal connection. In capturing Madame Tronchin, Liotard offers a glimpse into the complex interplay of identity, age, and representation in 18th-century portraiture, inviting us to consider the untold stories of women who navigated a world of changing expectations.